Bristol becomes first British city to ban advertisements for fast fashion

Green-run council also curbing ads for airlines, cruises, fossil fuels and SUVs on its billboards and bus shelters

“We don’t want Bristol to be a billboard for polluters while we’re working hard to improve health, air quality and nature in the city,” said Heather Mack, Bristol city council’s deputy leader.

“We’re proud to be thinking holistically about the changes we need to keep Bristol green and thriving.”

The change in policy reflects political trends in the city, which elected the Green party’s Carla Denyer as MP in 2024, the same year that voters made the Green party the largest party in the council chamber. In Bristol, 83% of residents are concerned about climate change, according to a recent council survey.

“Our Green-led council is making huge strides on Bristol’s climate and sustainability commitments, working on public transport infrastructure, home heating and community energy.

Cardiff, Edinburgh, Portsmouth and Sheffield are among the cities that have imposed restrictions on climate-harming products.

The restrictions came after campaigning by Adfree Cities, a network of campaign groups, which is calling for local bans on climate-harming promotions to be made national.

Nicola Wilks, co-founder and co-director at Adfree Cities, said: “We know ad bans are a catalyst for healthy change. Removing tobacco ads saved lives by reducing levels of smoking.

“As a Bristol resident who cares deeply about climate change and air pollution, I am proud that Bristol has gone even further than other UK councils in curbing polluting ads; it feels like common sense.